We all know that Michigan’s powermad governor Gretchen Whitmer locked down her state for months during 2020, destroyed hundreds of businesses and caused hundreds if not thousands of deaths of patients in hospitals and nursing homes by ordering exposures and treatments designed to kill patients. But now it has been revealed that Whitmer’s Department of …
Category: Government licensing
Apr 13
Canada descends further into darkness: government licenses now required for “journalists”
Every government in history has sought to control news reporting about itself. Now Canada is requiring journalists to obtain government licenses. And only pro-government “journalists” are given such licenses. Rebel News, Canada’s largest independent news agency, has been denied a license due to its occasional reporting criticizing government operations. Rebel News is banned from attending …
Jan 02
Overregulation is killing private medical practice
Devorah Goldman, writing in the Wall Street Journal, reports that her father’s rheumatology practice in Brooklyn has been swamped with patients from far-flung states because many other private practices have closed permanently. Overregulation by medical authorities is destroying private medical practice. In 1983, more than 75% of physicians owned their own practices. By 2018 that …
Oct 11
Remember those claims that government had to take over the internet to ensure equal access? California’s PG&E just showed why “Net Neutrality” is a bad idea
Shortly after the development of electricity as a viable means of household energy, governments sought to regulate it. Soon every state required electricity providers to get permission from “public utility” commissions. Then came government control over pricing, profits and implementation. Today’s electrical companies are essentially monopolies—with government licenses. Later studies debunked the government arguments—too late. …
Nov 11
New York City SWAT raids of short-term rental industry
The Omnipotent State Strikes Again New York City’s government imposes so many taxes and regulations on short-term lodging entrepreneurs that the City recently sent dozens of armed agents to raid a condo complex. The accusation? That several of the condo owners were making a few bucks by lending out their condos to NYC tourists. See …
Oct 02
Montana Outfitters License application costs $1,950
The requirement that people must obtain a government license before working in a given profession is often promoted as a public safety device. But the strongest proponents of licensing rules are often the entrenched good ol’ boys who already occupy the industry. In many licensing schemes, one must apply to ONE’S OWN COMPETITORS who sit …
Nov 12
The cycle of poverty under total government
Michael DiFrancesco, a 22-year-old man from Bozeman, Montana, never had a chance. In 2009, DiFrancesco was convicted of being a minor in possession of alcohol and fined $185. He was ordered to pay for and complete a substance abuse course, neither of which he could afford. DiFrancesco’s driver license was later suspended due to the …
Oct 27
African governments get used to SHUTTING DOWN the internet
An astounding story was published by Reuters reporters last week. In most countries, “the internet” is a multidimensional thing emanating and maintained by thousands of different businesses, people and institutions. But in some African countries, “the internet” may depend on a single cable system. “Since the start of 2016, governments in 13 African nations have …
Jun 09
Idaho government continues to ban unlicensed makeup artists
Governments everywhere demand that people get government licenses before engaging in certain businesses. Most States require that those who cut hair, perform manicures or help others with makeup must first go through hundreds of hours of government-approved ‘training’ before doing so. Such licensing laws keep poor people down by preventing them from starting businesses or …
Mar 06
57 % of Americans can’t write a $500 check
Years of government impositions which punish savers and entrepreneurs have taken their toll on Americans. Social Security, Medicare, and other programs disincentivize people from saving and investing. Near-zero interest rates incentivize debt. Government licensing laws prevent the poor from entering rewarding careers. Minimum-wage laws prevent employers from offering entry-level positions to people needing jobs and …